Innate Momentum

Innate Momentum

When Carla at MOMeo Magazine invited me to talk about momentum I thought about how I “get” my momentum.

I thought about peppy music, hot baths, extra sleep, tropical vacations, ski weekends, wine, inspirational lectures, and of course the real-life human connections to which I always refer as my “fuel.” But as I pondered how to structure my thoughts and my list of sources for my momentum, there was something disingenuous about my message.

I realized that I don’t believe for one moment that we “get” our momentum from external forces, but rather that we have to find our innate momentum when it gets occluded by the common dark cloaks of fatigue, overwhelm, insecurity, isolation, and worry.

So I share with you my belief that momentum is not something to be initiated by us in a willful way, but rather an inner force that we innately possess. Does a baby need to be told to start holding its head up, rolling over, or sitting up? Do we need to artificially incentivize a two-year-old who asks 20 times per day “What’s that?” or “Why?”

Of course we don’t.

We are innately gifted with momentum – a primordial need to master a skill, then take that skill to the next challenge to build upon it. We are hardwired for achievement. It isn’t until our higher-level thought processes begin to interfere that our innate momentum takes a hit and we begin to slow down.

As toddlers we run fearlessly around in our diapers, leaning on luck and dodging household dangers until stubbing our toes on that wall we circled 10 times – alas. Fear now steps in the way of our momentum, and give us pause. Certainly fear holds a place and purpose to keep us from mortal injury. But the unfettered child has a magnificent way of compartmentalizing the fear and reasoning they should just steer a little clearer of that wall next time. The diaper parade recommences and the valuable lesson was learned, with momentum fully restored.

For us adults it’s not so simple. We fly off in full stride, ready to run the big race with undaunted enthusiasm. But when inevitably stub our toes – maybe more than once – we fail to compartmentalize the lesson to be learned and falsely determine we shouldn’t run at all.

We look over our shoulder to see who saw us fall, and don’t want to face the embarrassment of falling again. In the absence of cheering voices urging us back to our feet, we surmise the race might not matter after all. Our intellect allows the clutter around us, the insecurities we develop, the fatigue that becomes chronic, and the worry we grapple with to obfuscate the innate momentum inside of us.

What’s an over-intellectualized, multi-faceted, uber-dynamic, plugged in, tapped out, overscheduled, under-rested Entrepreneurial Mom to do? Try these three tips to uncloak your bright, pure, innate momentum:

Do something else hard

Try something tangential and unrelated to your work, but something that feels like pulling an ox uphill. It might be tacking the unwieldy laundry pile, running full stride nonstop for five minutes, or making that phone call to the volunteer organization you’ve been dreading, letting them know you can’t give any more hours.

Remember the feeling of achievement and savor the aftertaste. That satisfaction for accomplishment is truly an addictive, human element.

Clear out the clutter

In deafening noise, even the best innate talent won’t shine through, so evict all unwanted tenants. This might mean ditching the piece of furniture you hate in your office, getting rid of the pile of bras that you no longer like/ fit, but haven’t wanted to justify throwing out (you know the ones), or becoming your own peaceful Buddha by engaging in total media deprivation.

Turn off the BlackBerry, hibernate the computer, take the battery out of the iPod, unplug the TV. Silence yields wisdom. The moment you find yourself alone the creativity of your soul emerges. Let your own thoughts break out of the white noise. Just as we must only provide space for the toddler’s joy to propel him, all we must do for our passions is provide the open venue to hear their own “playcalls.”

Practice one week of fairly radical clutter and noise reduction – elimination if you can get away with it. After the initial week, practice clutter removal and noise reduction daily. Slip off to your bedroom when the kids are playing nicely and safely in their playroom. Experience quiet, and in that “moment” find “ohm”- your momentum. It’s inside you – keep the pathway cleared and loosen the harnesses holding you back.

Surround yourself with cheerleaders for your soul

This one is near and dear to me. This is the heart of my work – the key to rediscovering my momentum when it’s hiding behind muck.

Cheerleaders for your soul aren’t people who tell you what you want to hear, or love everything you do, or simply retweet your initiatives, but rather they get you.

They help you push the clutter aside, and hold you accountable as you do something else hard. Simply sharing with like-minded, soulful women can literally and instantly clear clouded thoughts, jumbled fears, unfounded anxieties, and put a check on the runaway train of your over-intellectualized, multi-faceted, uber-dynamic, plugged in, tapped out, overscheduled, under-rested Entrepreneurial Mom mind.

There is something irreplaceable, unmistakable, and inexplicable about the healing powers of connection between amazing women. Connect regularly with women who live and breathe your struggles and celebrate your successes with you. Find your posse, make a plan to see them regularly, and feel your wings expand.

Love, touch, smiles, laughter, and tears reconnect us with our innate humanity, and thus our innate momentum. Find a group that will support your dreams, tell you the truth, hold you accountable, and cheer you on in the background as you get up after stumping your toes. The power of momentum lies within you!